Cigar-cutter



W. H. LILLY.

CIGAR CUTTER.

(No Model.)

No. 318,995. Patented June 2, 1885.

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\VILLIAM H. LILLY, OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA.

CIGAR-CUTTER.

SPECEFEGATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 318,995, dated June 2, 1885.

Application filed June 18, 1884. (X0 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WIL IAM H. LILLY, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Reading, county of Berks, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Cigar-Cutters, of which the following is a specification.

This improvement is more particularly re lated to cigar end cutters designed to be placed upon the counters of dealers for the use of their customers.

The object of the improvement is to furnish an ornamental and effective cutter of a simple construction, not liable to get out order, and self-sharpening. These objects are attained in the use of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters designate similar parts through out.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the cutter complete. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional elevation following the line X Y of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the double-cutter stem, plunger, knives, and knob. Fig. 4 is a front view of the same. Fig. 5 is a front view of the center base-plate, spring-tube, and spiral spring; Fig. 6, a plan of the center base-plate and spring-tube; Fig. 7, a reverse plan of the cutter-case, with the center base-plate removed.

A represents the case of obelisk form; A, foot or base to the same; A perforated top; A, recess for central base-plate; A, taper holes of varying sizes for the insertion of the cigar ends to be cut; ]3, central base-plate to fit within the recess A of the case; B, a projected stem upon which to drive the springtubc; 13 a perforation in the plate through which the cuttings are discharged; B beveled portions of countersink for retaining-screw heads; 0, a spring-tube, preferably of brass, cut to length and driven over the projected stem 13 of the center plate; D, a spiral spring of steel placed within the tube; E, the plungerstem; E, an enlargement forming an abutment for the double cutters; E, a lip, between which and the abutment the knives or cutters are held, and to which they are subsequently soldered; E the plunger sliding free within the spring -tube; F, the cutters or knives, formed of spring-steel; G, the knob, which is threaded and screwed upon the end of the stem.

The construction of the cutter is as follows: The case is cast complete with the sunk recess for the center plate. The hole for the plunger; stem and the threaded holes for the centerplate screws are subsequently drilled and lit ted together with the beveled perforations, for the entrance of the cigar ends. After fitting, the case maybe japanned, bronzed, or nickel-plated.

I prefer to make the interior of the case, on the sides where the perforations are made and with which the knives are in contact, to taper at the rate of about one-sixteenth of an inch to each inch of height given the case.

The knifeblades are made of flexible steelplate of the form shown, and the angle at which they are connected with the abutment of the plunger-stem is such as will keep their lower or cutting edges in close contact with the inner face of the case. This not only insures a clean cut when driven past the perforations, but makes the knife-edge self-sharpening, the wear against the case tending to keep and constantly renew the edge to a true cutting angle. After the knives are driven between the abutment E and lip E solder is applied, and the knives are securely held in place, the upper end of the stem is threaded and the knob similarly fitted thereto, and the plunger E slides free in the spring-tube.

The center plate, B, is cast integral with the projecting stem B, the tubes 0 are cut in numbers and of uniform length, the springs are preferably made of piano-wire and in quantities, andthe plate B is laid in place in the reversed recess A in the base of the case, and drilled and fitted to be interchangeable.

The separate parts are provided as described. The plunger-stem has its upper end protruded through the head of the case at A", the elastic knives holding it in position. The spring D is then placed in the tube G, and the plate 13 seated within its recess by entering the plunger E of the stem against the spring and within the spring-tube, and pressing the same forward until the plate is seated. The case is now reversed, and, the screws being driven in the holes E the cutter is completed ready for sale and use.

Having shown the construction of the cutter, a few words will explain its operation. The cutter loosely sitting upon or perma ICG nently secured to the counter, the smoker inserts the end of his cigar in one of the perforations A, and, pressing upon the knob G, the plunger and with it the knives descend past -the perforation, cutting off the end of the cigar, the clippings falling out of the case by the hole 13*. The hand being removed from the knob, the resilience of the spring D returns the cutters and knob in position for arecurrence of the operation, the act of cutting drawing the knife-edge close to the case and stiffening the blades.

I am aware that I am not the first to use a flexible knife for a cigar-cutter, (see Patent No. 274,201, March 20, 1883, Frank G. Johnson, pocket cigar-clipper,) butI believe myself-to be the first to adapt the same in a duplex form to the interior of a tapered case, as

described.

Having shown the construction, operation, and advantages of my improvement, what I claim is-- 1., The cigar-cutter herein described, consisting, essentially, of a tapering hollow case,

A, having a removable bottom, and provided with side perforations, a central cylinder containing a spring, and a plunger carryingtwo 3. The removably-attached base center.

plate, B, with its stem 13, tube 0, and spring D, in combination with the plunger E, stern E, knives F, case A, and knob G, all arranged, adjusted, and adapted to be operated as and for the purpose set forth.

WILLIAM H. LILLY. \Vitnesses:

THOMAS P. KINsEY, F. PIERCE HUMMEL. 

